Taiwo Awoniyi celebrated his 100th Forest appearance with a brace, as Nottingham Forest dismantled Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge and dealt a serious blow to the Blues’ Champions League hopes.
Taiwo Awoniyi needed just 97 seconds to announce himself on his 100th Nottingham Forest appearance. The Super Eagles striker headed in Dilane Bakwa’s cross to stun Stamford Bridge and set Forest on their way to a famous 3-1 victory on May 4, 2026.
It was the earliest Premier League away goal conceded by Chelsea since December 2013, when Jay Rodriguez scored for Southampton after just 13 seconds.
Forest In Control From the Whistle
Chelsea’s defending was all over the place. Bakwa turned Marc Cucurella inside out on the right flank, and Awoniyi was completely unmarked at the back post to nod home.
The lead was doubled in the 15th minute. Malo Gusto tugged Awoniyi’s shirt as they contested another Bakwa cross, and after a VAR review, a penalty was awarded. Igor Jesus went straight down the middle, sending Robert Sanchez the wrong way.
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Cole Palmer Miss Changes the Game’s Mood
Chelsea were handed a lifeline late in the first half. Teenager Jesse Derry, on his Premier League debut, was caught in a sickening head clash with Forest’s Zach Abbott and had to be stretchered off.
A penalty was given, but Cole Palmer’s effort was brilliantly stopped by Matz Sels. It was a crucial save. Forest went in at half-time two goals up and fully in control.
Awoniyi Seals It Early in the Second Half
Any hope of a Chelsea comeback was killed off in the 52nd minute. Substitute Morgan Gibbs-White whipped in a low cross and Awoniyi was first to it, tapping home from two yards for his second of the afternoon.
The goal moved Awoniyi to 21 career Premier League goals, placing him above Victor Moses on the all-time list of Nigerian scorers in the English top flight. According to FootballInNigeria.com.ng, he is now the first Nigerian to score 20 or more goals in both the Premier League and the Bundesliga.
Joao Pedro pulled one back for Chelsea in stoppage time with a brilliant overhead kick, ending the Blues’ nine-hour Premier League goal drought. It was no more than a consolation.
A Century to Remember
The win was historic on multiple levels. Chelsea suffered their sixth consecutive league defeat, a run not seen since 1993. It is also their worst run of league form since 1912.
For Forest, it was the result that has all but secured their Premier League survival. Vitor Pereira’s side sit six points above the relegation zone with three games left, after making eight changes from their expected Europa League lineup against Aston Villa on Thursday. Those who want to get in on the action can use the YOHAIG promo code for an enhanced start on Bet9ja.
Awoniyi, who had been largely benched this season behind Igor Jesus and Chris Wood, took his chance without hesitation. It was only his second start of the campaign, and his first came against the same opponents.
What Awoniyi Said
“For us, it was an important win. Kudos to the team, to the staff. We came here to get three points and I’m so pleased,” the 28-year-old told Sky Sports after the game.
“That’s what football is about. Sometimes when things are going well, it’s all about the team. It’s very difficult on the bench, but you just have to keep going.”
He also praised Matz Sels for the penalty save. “If the ball had gone in, it might have been a different game entirely, but he kept us in it,” Awoniyi said.
The Bigger Picture for the Super Eagles
Awoniyi’s brace will reignite discussions about his place in the Super Eagles setup. His last international brace came years ago, yet at club level he continues to deliver when it matters most.
His 100th Forest appearance produced a goal and an assist. That kind of form, in a relegation battle, is the hallmark of a big-game player. Anyone looking to follow Forest’s survival run with a bet can find a clear breakdown at this Bet9ja bonus conversion guide before the final three fixtures.
📌 Did You Know?
- Awoniyi’s last Premier League brace before this game also came against Chelsea, in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in May 2023, making him the first Nigerian to score multiple goals in two different matches against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
- Awoniyi joined Nottingham Forest from Union Berlin in the summer of 2022 for a then-club record fee of approximately €20.5 million. He remains one of the most expensive players Forest have ever signed.
- His debut season at Forest remains his most productive, with 10 goals and one assist in 27 appearances, including the winner against Arsenal on May 20, 2023 that preserved the club’s Premier League status.
- Awoniyi represented Nigeria at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, scoring four goals as Nigeria won the tournament. He is one of the few Nigerian players to have won a FIFA youth world title.
- Before joining Forest, Awoniyi spent time on loan at seven different clubs during his Liverpool years, including stints at Mouscron, Gent, Mainz, Union Berlin, Pronk, Standard Liege, and Angers, without ever playing a single first-team game for Liverpool themselves.
- Awoniyi was hospitalised in June 2020 after suffering a severe concussion during a Bundesliga match. He also spent time in an induced coma in May 2025 following urgent surgery for a serious abdominal injury sustained against Leicester City.
- With 21 Premier League goals, Awoniyi has now overtaken Victor Moses on the all-time list of Nigerian Premier League scorers, cementing his status as one of the most prolific Nigerian forwards in English top-flight history.
